With just under 1/3 of all Canadian workers protected by unions, it is important to understand the way these organizations stand up for their members. Unions actively protect their members from maltreatment, job loss, discrimination, labor violations and other harmful acts from the company in question. Unions may fight to change laws or rally against particularly abusive employers or industries to protect current and future members. These tasks can only be accomplished with funding paid by the members. As a result, all unions require payment of dues on a regular schedule. Here are a few key benefits paid for with union dues.

Secure Representation

Actively representing all of the union members is often a full time job for the assigned leaders. These representatives must address worker complaints, enact dispute strategies, attend meetings, arrange strikes and identify laws in desperate need of adjustment.

Your dues go toward paying your representatives to dedicate their entire career to making your workplace safe, respectful and lucrative for all. Representatives may also use the dues to attend seminars and conferences that increase knowledge regarding leadership, conflict resolution and social support topics.

Hire Activists

Union representatives fight to establish ideal working conditions and policies for current and future employees. If the current state of the industry is possibly detrimental to the workers, the union must pressure the company or industry to make necessary changes.

Although strikes are an effective form of activism, writing letters and meeting with government officials often makes a bigger impression. Your union dues pay to hire on activists with a strong background in politics and activism. These important representatives will use their skills and knowledge to enact change that may dramatically improve the workplace.

Fund Negotiations

Ongoing negotiations can extend out weeks or months into the future, depending on the scope of the problem and complexity of the solution. Employers may complicate the negotiation process by bringing in a legal team or holding meetings in distant locations, which can drive up the cost of union participation.

Luckily, your union activists and leaders can tap into the pool of paid dues to fund the negotiation process. The ability to participate in every step of the negotiations ensures the attendees will arrive at a solution that benefits the workers in that given workplace or industry.

Integrate Workers

The strength of your union continually increases as membership grows. With more members, the union receives a better outlook on worker needs and satisfaction levels regarding proposed dispute resolution tactics. More union members also means the union has access to even more funding than before. As with all pursuits, however, it takes money to make money. Union leaders must use funds to actively integrate workers into the union group.

Uncertain groups may be wary of joining a union due to prior threats by their employer. Union leaders can hold meetings and seminars that introduce uncertain workers to this important organization. Depending on the union's focus, the meetings and seminars may need to be held at distant locations or large venues to accommodate the target demographic of workers.

Funding Your Union

The amount you pay for your union dues is established in the local bylaws. If the union requires a funding increase, the union representative must submit the request for vote by all of the members. As a result, union members are given a chance to weigh the benefits against the individual costs. Unions may offer increased benefits or strengthen established offerings to justify the increased rates. Although these is a chance you will never use the benefits offered by the union, paying the dues can provide peace of mind in just knowing you are protected against potential wrongdoing. 

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